For nearly two centuries, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has sought to strengthen the care we provide to those who make their lives on the water. While the settings in which maritime chaplains serve have changed over time, the heart of their ministry has remained constant: to be a faithful, compassionate presence among mariners whose work often takes them far from home and family. Preparing chaplains for this unique vocation requires more than goodwill; it requires thoughtful formation grounded in experience, reflection, and practical application. This volume makes an important contribution to that work. Developed under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. David Fleenor, in partnership with SCI and with support from the Episcopal Church’s United Thank Offering, it uses case studies to deepen pastoral judgment and prepare chaplains for the realities of maritime ministry. Our hope is that it will strengthen the formation of future maritime chaplains while equipping those already serving to accompany seafarers and inland mariners with compassion, integrity, and confidence.

This project was made possible by a grant from the United Thank Offering (UTO) of The Episcopal Church, awarded through the Diocese of New York (Grant No. 2025-07)

At the 2026 North American Maritime Ministry Association Conference in Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. David Fleenor presented findings from his research and introduced At the Water’s Edge in a talk titled “Essential Competencies for Maritime Chaplaincy: Lessons Learned from Study Prepared for the Seamen’s Church Institute.”